Definition: (manner) Firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion.

Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look! You’ve come across the word “hardly,” and the dictionary gives us a clue – "firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion." That tells us part of what it means, but we need to dig a little deeper. Think about it like this: “Hardly” is often used to show something isn’t much at all. It's a word that shrinks things down! Let’s put it in some sentences to see how it works: “I hardly saw him – he was hiding!” (Meaning you only caught a tiny glimpse) "She hardly spoke during the meeting." (Meaning she didn't speak very much at all.) Notice how we don’t use “hardly” to describe someone being strong . We use it to show something is limited or small . So, "hardly" means almost not , or barely . It suggests a small amount or degree of something. It's like saying "just about," but with a little more emphasis on the lack! Do you have any questions about that? Would you like to try and come up with your own sentence using “hardly”?